Take action: safer streets with intersection safety cameras

Use your own words in your messages to council, but consider the following points:

1. Start by telling them to pass the motion. If you are emailing, state it clearly in the subject line as well.
2. Personal stories are best! Tell Council about any crashes or close calls you’ve been impacted by. 
3. This is not a partisan issue: Victoria passed a similar motion unanimously this summer – their threshold was only 20 crashes.
4. Most crashes happen at intersections, and speed is the #1 factor in fatal crashes.
5. Vulnerable road users pay the heaviest price for traffic violence. Pedestrians and cyclists make up 50% of all serious injuries and deaths on our roads.
6. Seniors are 45% of all pedestrian fatalities.
7. Speed and red light cameras are some of the most effective, efficient ways to make roads safer, with a benefit to cost ratio exceeding 10:1. 
8. ABC committed to public safety. This is one of the biggest public safety threats our city faces, with over 40,000 crashes causing an injury or death – an average of 22 per day. Would we accept 22 people being stabbed every day on our streets?

Done is better than perfect. Don’t agonize over the perfect message. The power is in speaking or sending an email.

Prepare Your Message – Tell your story about why this is important to you. If you are comfortable speaking with notes, write out your notes. If a script is better, write a script and read it to them. It is best to start with a strong opener that says what you want. Restate your request at the end of your speech.

Practice – If you have time, practice in the mirror or before a friend or family member. Reciting your message will build your confidence and make it easier to speak.

Questions – Council members can ask you questions. Resist the natural urge to respond immediately. Pause and think. Say what you really want to say or decline to answer. You may also simply state at the end of your speech that you do not wish to answer questions.

While you can attend in person, most speakers call in. Below is information on how to call in.

1. Register to speak. Go here. Check the agenda Motion 2. Creating Safer Streets for People of All Ages with Intersection Safety Cameras and Support!
2. You should receive an email confirmation with more information. This might include your speaker number, instructions for calling in, how many minutes you will have to speak, or etiquette to follow.
3. Follow along during the meeting to watch for the relevant agenda item. Watch the meeting and keep track of when the motion comes up. If the motion is further down on the list, you may want to check in every so often to track progress and wait to call in. Sometimes councils can take a few hours up to a whole meeting just to discuss an agenda item.
4. When the motion is up, call in to speak. When the motion comes up, be prepared to call in. You’ll probably want to call in at least 3-5 speakers ahead of you. Once you’reconnected, you’ll usually be able to hear the live meeting discussion on your phone, so remember to mute your computer audio if you have been watching along. Your phone line will remain muted until it is your turn, so listen carefully. Usually someone will say your name or say your speaker number, and then they’ll unmute you and it’s your turn!
5. Speak on the motion, and then answer any questions if you wish – It’s good practice to state your name. Councilors may have questions for you – and if they do – you’re not required to answer them. Once you’ve completed your turn, simply hang up.
6. Follow the City of Vancouver – Follow the city clerk on twitter, and then turn on notifications for when they post. It’s a great way to keep up with what speaker number / issue they’re on. After the meeting is over, you can just turn off the notifications again.